Adjustable safety bindings for skis

ABSTRACT

A safety binding for releasably retaining toe and heel portions of a ski boot on a ski. The boot is retained on the ski by respective binding assemblies adjustably positioned fore and aft of the boot. Each assembly includes a pivot ball or sphere and bar member matingly engaged within the assembly but releasable on impact to permit pivoting of the assembly in three directions thereby to release the boot toe or heel in the event of excessive load thereon such as when the skiing user encounters a fall. Each binding assembly is mounted on a respective mounting bracket adjustably positioned within a mounting plate secured to the ski. Each mounting bracket has an upstanding tongue or flange matingly engageable with a ratchet track provided on the mounting plate to provide adjustable positioning on each bracket along the plate to enable variable positioning of the assemblies on the ski.

United States Patent [1 1 J aques et a].

i 1 ADJUSTABLE SAFETY BINDINGS FOR SKIS [75] Inventors: Richard E. Jaques, Glenview;

Burton L. Siegal, Skokie, both of 111.

[73] Assignee: Richard E. .Iaques, Glenview, Ill.

[22] Filed: Mar. 13, 1974 [21] Appl. No.; 450,723

Primary ExaminerRobert R. Song Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Silverman & Cass, Ltd.

l 5 7 l ABSTRACT A safety binding for releasably retaining toe and heel portions of a ski boot on a ski. The boot is retained on the ski by respective binding assemblies adjustably positioned fore and aft of the boot. Each assembly includes a pivot ball or sphere and bar member matingly engaged within the assembly but releasable on impact to permit pivoting of the assembly in three directions thereby to release the boot toe or heel in the event of excessive load thereon such as when the skiing user encounters a fall. Each binding assembly is mounted on a respective mounting bracket adjustably positioned within a mounting plate secured to the ski. Each mounting bracket has an upstanding tongue or flange matingly engageable with a ratchet track provided on the mounting plate to provide adjustable positioning on each bracket along the plate to enable variable positioning of the assemblies on the ski.

16 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures ADJUSTABLE SAFETY BINDINGS FOR SKIS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to ski bindings and more particularly to spring-biased safety bindings for such skis. which bindings are laterally adjustable along the length of the skis.

2. Description of the Prior Art Ski bindings which permit quick release of the users boot toe and/or heel from the ski during a fall or other exertion of an abnormally high force thereagainst are known in the art. Such safety bindings are essential to prevent serious injury to the skier which may result during a fall if the skis should not quickly be released from the skiers boots. Safety release binding assem blies generally are provided for both toe and heel of the user's boot. Most of the structures of the prior art provide for pivotal release of a boot toe in the horizontal plane of the ski to permit left or right pivotal release during a fall. It also is known to provide for release of a boot heel pivotally upward in the vertical plane normal to the ski surface. Generally it has been believed that such three-way release of a skiers boot. i.e.. left and right toe release in the horizontal plane and upward heel release in the vertical plane was adequate protection for a skier in the event of the necessity quickly to release the ski from his boot. More preferably. however. it has been desired to provide for threeway release of both boot toe and boot heel in the vertical and horizontal planes so as to provide a total release feature of a binding assembly for maximum safety and to permit quick release of the user's boot in all directions in the event of such requirement. Certain structures are known in the art which provide three-way release of a boot toe that do not include such three-way release feature for a boot heel. The structures which do provide for three-way toe release generally are of such complex and delicate nature that they do not adequately meet the requirements of a safety binding which is reliable and yet not prohibitive in cost of manufacture. The structure of the invention provides both a toe and heel safety release assembly which is operable for release in three directions as required.

A further problem concerning ski bindings is the need for lateral adjustability thereof in order to accommodate different sized boots which may be used in connection with the ski upon which the bindings are mounted. Further, there is a need to provide lateral adjustment of the bindings relative to the length of the ski in order to permit the user thereof to adjust his boot position along the length of the ski optimum balance thereon. The structure of the invention provides means to permit lateral adjustment of both toe and heel binding assemblies along the length of the ski so as to permit both adjustment features as desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention is characterized by a binding assembly adapted to releasably retain a boot toe and heel on a ski. Each assembly includes a toe or heel clip pivotally mounted thereon to permit at least initial release of boot, toe or heel in two directions along the horizontal plane of the ski. A vertically disposed standard with spherical restraining member positioned thereon is disposed within each assembly in mating engagement with a horizontally arranged engagement bar to releasably retain the assembly in an unreleased position on the ski. Tongue and groove means are provided between the sphere and bar to permit movement of the assembly in three directions. i.e.. left or right in the horizontal plane and upwardly in the vertical plane relative to the ski surface. The engagement bar is adjustably spring loaded to vary the tension thereon and thus permit adjustment of the forces at which the binding will release the boot, toe or heel. Each assembly is mounted on a bracket laterally adjustable along a mounting plate secured to the ski. Tongue and ratchet means are provided between the bracket and plate to permit adjustable movement of each assembly as desired.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a fragmentary perspective view of a ski having the adjustable safety bindings of the invention mounted thereon with a ski boot positioned therebetween;

FIG. 2 is a side plan view of the ski and bindings shown in FIG. illustrating partial release of the boot toe and heel in the vertical plane normal to the ski sur face;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the ski and bindings illustrated in FIG. 1 showing partial release of the boot toe and heel left and right in the horizontal plane parallel to the ski surface;

FIG. 4 is an enlargd fragmentary top plan view of the binding assembly of the invention with portions thereof broken away to show constructional details;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 55 of FIG. 4 in the direction indicated generally;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the binding assembly of the invention. the same being illustrated with the mounting bracket thereof partially released from the mounting plate for adjustable movement of the assemy;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the heel assembly of the invention with portions thereof broken away and portions in phantom outline to show constructional details;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along the line 88 of FIG. 7 in the direction indicated generally;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a preferred form ofthe sphere and bar restraining member of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a view similar to that of FIG. 9 illustrating an alternate embodiment thereof; and

FIG. II is a view similar to FIG. 9 illustrating a still further alternate embodiment thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The drawings illustrate a fragmentary portion II] of a ski with a boot I2 positioned thereon in the usual orientation for use of the ski. The sole 14 of the boot protrudes outwardly therefrom along the front toe portion 16 and the rear heel portion 18. The boot [2 is retained upon ski I0 by a pair of binding assemblies 20, 22 constructed in accordance with the invention. There is a front binding assembly 20 positioned adjacent the boot toe l6, and a rear binding assembly 22 positioned adjacent the boot heel 18.

Each binding assembly 20, 22 is of substantially identical construction except for respective toe and heel clip members 24, 26. Toe and heel clip members 24. 26 are of standard construction and comprise outstanding flange parts adapted to engage the boot toe or heel along the sole portions thereof. Thustoe clip 24 includes an outstanding angularly shaped extension 28 formed upon a body portion 30 retained upon front binding assembly 20 between flanges 32, 34 formed thereon. A shaft 36 is positioned between flanges 32. 34 to retain clip member 24 upon assembly 20. Shaft 36 is rotatably adjustable for movement of toe clip 24 up or down to tightly engage front toe portion 16 of the boot l2. Heel clip member 26 likewise is of standard construction and includes an outstanding extension 38 formed on body portion 40 which is pivotally retained upon rear binding assembly 22 between flanges 42. 44 with shaft member 48 passing between the flanges and retaining the body portion 40 on the heel assembly 22. The heel clip 26 is adjustable in the same manner as toe clip 24 so as to accommodate different thicknesses of heels. A heel rest plate is provided on assembly 22 to receive the bottom surface of heel 18.

In all respects other than those mentioned above. front binding assembly 20 and rear binding assembly 22 are of identical construction and therefore, the constructional details thereof will be described hereinafter principally in connection with the toe binding assembly 20. It is to be understood that these constructional details apply equally well to the heel binding assembly 22, portions of which also are illustrated in the drawings.

As best seen in FIGS. 4 and 5. binding assembly 20 includes a housing member 50 with parallel top and bottom walls. 52. 54 and an end wall 56 disposed normal to top wall 52 with an arcuate portion 58 conjoined with bottom wall 54. The undersurface of assembly 20 has a hollowed-out cavity 60 opening to bottom wall 54. A blind-end channel 62 is formed in the portion 64 of assembly 20 opening to front wall 68 adjacent clip member 24. A coil spring 70 is positioned within channel 62 and retains ball 72 tightly against clip member 24 is a detent 74 formed thereon.

Cavity 60 is formed in the upper portion thereof with a detent 76 adapted for mating engagement by spherical portion 78 of restraining member 80. The restraining member 80 comprises the spherical part 78 formed upon vertical standard 82 which secures the assembly 20 to the ski 10 as described hereinbelow. Spherical member 78 is formed with a notched portion 84 of generally V-shaped configuration. A horizontally disposed bar 86 is positioned within cavity 60 for mating engagement with notch 84 opposite the surface of sphere 78 which rests within detent 76. Bar 86 likewise has one surface thereof with a cross-section of generally V- shaped configuration and is formed with a pair of apertures 88, 90 adjacent the ends thereof. Bar 86 is retained in tight abutting relationship against sphere 78 in notch 84 thereof by a pair of screws 92 which pass within apertures 88. 90 and are threaded in holes 94 provided in pistons retained in cavities 96 opening to front wall 68 of the assembly 20. Cavities 96 in assembly 20 retain coil springs 98 which abut at one end thereof against piston members I00. Springs 98 force piston member 100 toward front wall 68 and thus cause bar 86 which abuts heads I02 to be forced against spherical member 78 and retain the same tightly within the detent 76. Screws 92 may be rotated to draw piston [00 against the action of spring 98 and thereby increase or decrease the pressure exerted by bar 86 upon sphere 78. Each screw 92 has an index marking 104 provided around the circumference thereof to be visible in window 106 on the top wall 52 of assembly 20 to indicate the degree of tension applied by bar 86 against sphere 78. lndicia associated with window 106 designate the relative position of marking 104 in terms of calculated degrees of tension. Passageways 108 are provided through end wall 56 to expose head parts 102 for adjustment of the screws 92 to vary the tension applied against sphere 78.

The vertical standard member 82 extends beyond bottom wall 54 of assembly 20 and terminates with a reduced diameter lug portion 108. A mounting bracket 110 has an aperture 112 provided thereon for receipt of lug 108 which is flattened at the terminal portion 114 thereof to secure the standard 82 to the mounting bracket 110. Bracket 10 is of generally elongate configuration with a reverse bent portion 116 formed on one end thereof adjacent aperture 112. Reverse bent portion ll6 terminates with an upstanding leg 118 ex tending above a valley portion 120 which depends from the elongate portion of bracket 110.

The end 122 of bracket 110 opposite the end having reversed bent portion 116 formed thereon is provided with a pair of scissors clip members 124 which normally are maintained in open condition by a hairpin spring 126 positioned therebetween. Clip members 124 are retained on the underside of the bracket 110 by rivet 12.8 which passes through bracket 110 and cojoined portions 130 of clip members 124. A pair of pinch flanges 132 is formed on clip members 124 to facilitate movement of the clip members together against the force of spring 126. Outstanding extension portions 134, 136 are formed on the clip members 124 for a pur pose to be described hereinbelow.

A mounting plate 140 is provided for retaining bracket members 110 on the surface of ski 10. Mounting plate 140 is of generally C-shaped cross-sectional configuration and includes a base part 142 with oppositely disposed upstanding leg members 144. Each leg member 144 has a flange portion 146 extending normal to the base part 142 and formed on the underside thereof with ratchet teeth 148. Mounting plate 140 is secured to ski 10 by screws 154.

Each front and rear binding assembly 20, 22 is mounted on a respective mounting bracket 110. The brackets 110 are positioned upon mounting plate 140 with the reverse bent portion 116 disposed between leg members 144; the valley portion 120 is positioned abutting base part 142 and the upstanding leg member 118 rests within a selected tooth of the ratchet portion 148 of flange member 146. Outstanding portions 134, 136 of clip members 124 secure the opposite end of bracket 110 upon mounting plate 140 by reason of their disposition beneath the flange portions 146. Each mounting bracket 110 is laterally adjustable along the mounting plate 140 by pinching clip members 124 together as illustrated in FIG, 6 and lifting the bracket by pivoting the same about reverse bent portion 116 to free upstanding leg 118 from the ratchet teeth 148. The bracket 110 then is movable to any selected position and locked in place by swinging the bracket down in place to lock leg 118 against the ratchet I48 and release scissors clip members 124 to engage outstanding portions 124 beneath the flange portions 146. Either one or both binding assemblies 20. 22 may be moved to adjust the spacing therebetween or to provide a different position along the length of the ski for receipt of the boot l2.

Looking now at FIGS. 2 and 3, the release operation of the bindings 20, 22 is illustrated. When the user of the ski upon which the bindings are mounted experiences a fall or other exertion of abnormal force against the bindings. either toe or heel portion is permitted to be released in the horizontal plane either left or right as viewed in FIG. 3, or upwardly in the vertical plane as viewed in FIG. 2. Exertion of an abnormally large force in the horizontal plane first will cause clip mem ber 24 or clip member 26 to begin pivoting about shaft 36 causing ball 72 to leave detent 74. If the skier is able to regain balance and move his foot back into normal position. the ball and detent 72. 74 will regain their position illustrated without further release of the assembly 20. If. however. the abnormally high force continues, ball 78 is caused to leave its engagement with bar 86 and the entire assembly swings either left or right in the horizontal plane. The configuration of engagement surfaces 84 with bar 86 is such also to permit disengagement ofthe ball 78 and bar 86 in the vertical plane. When disengagement in the vertical plane as illustrated in FIG. 2 occurs, assembly 20 pivots about arcuate surface 58 of end wall 56 to release the boot toe or heel.

After being disengaged either from the vertical or horizontal plane, the assembly 20, 22 may be returned to its normal position illustrated in FIG. 1 by pivoting the same hack thereto to re-engage bar 86 within notch 84 as required.

The structure of the invention is such as to provide the desired three-way safety release of boot. toe or heel in both vertical and horizontal planes relative to the ski surface. The structure is such as to permit a wide range of lateral adjustment of the bindings relative each other or together along the length of the ski as required by the user thereof.

It is to be understood that minor variations in construction and arrangement of parts will appear to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description. For instance, alternate forms of the tongue and groove engagement between the spherical member 78 and abutting bar 86 are possible. in FIG. 10, one such alternate form is illustrated in which the sphere 78 is provided with a dimple 150 and the bar 86 is formed with a matingly engageable projection 152. A further alternate embodiment is shown in FIG. 11 where the sphere 78 is formed with a flat surface 152 to juxtapose the planar surface of bar 86. In both alternate embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 1], the desired three-way release feature of the invention is attainable.

What it is desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. A binding assembly for releasably retaining toe or heel portions of a ski boot positioned on a ski, said assembly comprising, a housing having at least parallel top and bottom walls and front and rear end walls disposed generally normal to the top and bottom walls. a toe or heel clip retained on the housing adjacent said front end wall. cavity on the undersurface of the housing opening to the bottom wall. a vertically disposed restraining member positioned at a first end thereof in the cavity and secured at a second end thereof to the ski to restrain movement of the assembly except upon exertion of an impact force of pre-selected magnitude thereagainst. the restraining member including a pivot standard terminating at the second end and a spherical portion mounted on the standard at the first end, said spherical portion being positioned at a location in the cavity closer to said rear end wall than said front end wall, a horizontally disposed engagement bar retained in the cavity juxtaposed the spherical portion for releasably maintaining the assembly in the first rest position, said rear end wall having a generally arcuate shaped portion cojoined with the bottom wall. the as sembly being pivotal in opposite directions along the horizontal plane parallel to the ski surface and in the upwardly direction in the vertical plane normal to the ski surface, said pivotal movement in the upwardly direction being effected by pivoting of the housing about said arcuate portion when an upward force is exerted upon the toe or heel clip spaced from the spherical portion, whereby exertion of the force against the assembly will release the spherical portion from the engagement bar to permit the assembly to move to a second release portion to release the boot toe or heel.

2. A binding assembly as claimed in claim 1 in which the cavity is formed with a detent and said spherical portion rests in the detent such that the assembly is pivotal about the restraining member relative the spherical portion in the detent.

3. A binding assembly as claimed in claim I in which said bar and spherical portion include mating tongue and notch means therebetv een.

4. A binding assembly as claimed in claim 3 in which the notch is of generally V-shaped configuration and is positioned on the spherical portion.

5. A binding assembly as claimed in claim 1 in which said bar and spherical portion include mating dimple and projection means therebetween.

6. A binding assembly as claimed in claim 1 in which the spherical portion is formed with a flat surface and said flat surface engages a planar surface on the bar.

7. A binding assembly as claimed in claim 1 in which said binding assembly includes adjustment means for adjustably positioning the assembly laterally along the length of the ski, said adjustment means including a mounting plate secured on the ski, a mounting bracket moveably retained on the plate, said restraining member secured at the second end thereof on the bracket, tongue and ratchet means between the plate and bracket. and locking means on the bracket to lock the bracket at selected locations on the plate by engagement of the tongue and ratchet means.

8. A binding assembly as claimed in claim 7 in which the plate includes a base part secured to the ski. a pair of oppositely disposed leg members upstanding from the base part, and each leg being formed with ratchet teeth.

9. A binding assembly as claimed in claim 8 in which the bracket has an upstanding tongue for mating engagement with said ratchet teeth.

10. A binding assembly for releasably retaining toe or heel portions of a ski boot positioned on a ski, said assembly comprising. a housing having at least parallel top and bottom walls and front and rear end walls disposed generally normal to the top and bottom walls. a cavity on the undersurface of the housing opening to the bottom wall. a vertically disposed restraining member positioned at a first end thereof in the cavity and secured at a second end thereof to the ski to restrain movement of the assembly except upon exertion of an impact force of per-selected magnitude thereagainst. the restraining member including a pivot standard terminating at the second end and a spherical portion mounted on the standard at the first end. a horizontally 7 disposed engagement bar retained in the cavity juxtaposed the spherical portion. mating tongue and notch means between said bar and spherical portion for releasably maintaining the assembly in a first rest position. the bar including an aperture at each end thereof. an adjustment screw passing through each aperture and threadedly engaged in the housing on opposite sides of the spherical portion. and spring loaded means associated with each screw to adjustably maintain the tension of the bar against the spherical portion. whereby exertion of the force against the assembly will release the spherical portion from the engagement bar to permit the assembly to move to a second release position to release the boot toe or heel.

11. A binding assembly as claimed in claim l in which the spring loaded means include a piston associated with each screw. each piston moveable in a respective piston cavity in the housing proximate the front wall thereof. a coil spring in each piston cavity to force each piston toward the front wall and thereby draw the bar against the spherical portion.

12. A binding assembly as claimed in claim 1] in which the top wall of the housing includes at least one window to permit visual display of the screws. each screw having an index marking around the circumference thereof visible in the window to indicate the degree of tension applied by the bar against the spherical portion.

13. A binding assembly as claimed in claim 12 in which there are indicia on the top wall associated with the window to designate the relative position of the index markings in terms of calculated degrees of tension.

[4. A binding assembly for releasably retaining toe or heel portions of a ski boot positioned on a ski. said assembly comprising, a housing having at least parallel top and bottom walls and front and rear end walls disposed generally normal to the top and bottom walls. a cavity on the undersurface of the housing opening to the bottom wall, a vertically disposed restraining member positioned at a first end thereof in the cavity and secured at a second end thereof to the ski to restrain movement of the assembly except upon exertion of an impact force of pre-selected magnitude thereagainst. the restraining member including a pivot standard terminating at the second end and a spherical portion mounted on the standard at the first end. a horizontally disposed engagement bar retained in the cavity juxtaposed the spherical portion for releasably maintaining the assembly in a first rest position. whereby exertion of the force against the assembly will release the spherical portion from the engagement bar to permit the assembly to move to a second release position to release the boot toe or heel, and adjustment means for adjustably positioning the assembly laterally along the length of the ski. said adjustment means including a mounting plate secured on the ski. a mounting bracket moveably retained on the plate. said restraining member secured at the second end thereof on the bracket. tongue and ratchet means between the plate and bracket. and locking means on the bracket to lock the bracket at selected locations on the plate by engagement of the tongue and ratchet means. said locking means including a pair of scissors clip members engaging the plate. and a hairpin spring positioned between the scissors clip members to maintain the same in open condition in engagement with the plate.

15. A binding assembly for releasably retaining toe or heel portions of a ski boot positioned on a ski. said assembly comprising. a housing. a restraining member positioned in the housing at a first end thereof and secured at a second end thereof to the ski to restrain movement of the assembly except upon exertion of an impact force of pre-selected magnitude thereagainst. adjustment means for adjustably positioning the assembly laterally along the length of the ski. said adjustment means including a mounting plate secured on the ski, a mounting bracket moveably retained on the plate, said restraining member secured at the second end thereof on the bracket. tongue and ratchet means between the plate and bracket. and locking means on the bracket to lock the bracket at selected locations on the plate by engagement of the tongue and ratchet means, said locking means including a pair of scissors clip members engaging the plate, and a hairpin spring positioned between the scissors clip members to maintain the same in open condition in engagement with the plate.

16. A binding assembly for releasably retaining toe or heel portions of a ski boot positioned on a ski. said assembly comprising. a housing. a restraining member positioned in the housing at a first end thereof and secured at a second end thereof to the ski to restrain movement of the assembly except upon exertion of an impact force of pre-selected magnitude thereagainst. adjustment means for adjustably positioning the assembly laterally along the length of the ski. said adjustment means including a mounting plate secured on the ski. the plate having a base part secured to the ski. aa pair of oppositely disposed leg members upstanding from the base part. each leg being formed with ratchet teeth. a mounting bracket moveably retained on the plate. the bracket having an upstanding tongue for mating engagement with said ratchet teeth. said restraining member secured at the second end thereof on the bracket. and locking means on the bracket to lock the bracket at selected locations on the plate by engagement of the tongue and ratchet means. 

1. A binding assembly for releasably retaining toe or heel portions of a ski boot positioned on a ski, said assembly comprising, a housing having at least parallel top and bottom walls and front and rear end walls disposed generally normal to the top and bottom walls, a toe or heel clip retained on the housing adjacent said front end wall, cavity on the undersurface of the housing opening to the bottom wall, a vertically disposed restraining member positioned at a first end thereof in the cavity and secured at a second end thereof to the ski to restrain movement of the assembly except upon exertion of an impact force of pre-selected magnitude thereagainst, the restraining member including a pivot standard terminating at the second end and a spherical portion mounted on the standard at the first end, said spherical portion being positioned at a location in the cavity closer to said rear end wall than said front end wall, a horizontally disposed engagement bar retained in the cavity juxtaposed the spherical portion for releasably maintaining the assembly in the first rest position, said rear end wall having a generally arcuate shaped portion cojoined with the bottom wall, the assembly being pivotal in opposite directions along the horizontal plane parallel to the ski surface and in the upwardly direction in the vertical plane normal to the ski surface, said pivotal movement in the upwardly direction being effected by pivoting of the housing about said arcuate portion when an upward force is exerted upon the toe or heel clip spaced from the spherical portion, whereby exertion of the force against the assembly will release the spherical portion from the engagement bar to permit the assembly to move to a second release portion to release the boot toe or heel.
 2. A binding assembly as claimed in claim 1 in which the cavity is formed with a detent and said spherical portion rests in the detent such that the assembly is pivotal about the restraining member relative the spherical portion in the detent.
 3. A binding assembly as claimed in claim 1 in which said bar and spherical portion include mating tongue and notch means therebetween.
 4. A binding assembly as claimed in claim 3 in which the notch is of generally V-shaped configuration and is positioned on the spherical portion.
 5. A binding assembly as claimed in claim 1 in which said bar aNd spherical portion include mating dimple and projection means therebetween.
 6. A binding assembly as claimed in claim 1 in which the spherical portion is formed with a flat surface and said flat surface engages a planar surface on the bar.
 7. A binding assembly as claimed in claim 1 in which said binding assembly includes adjustment means for adjustably positioning the assembly laterally along the length of the ski, said adjustment means including a mounting plate secured on the ski, a mounting bracket moveably retained on the plate, said restraining member secured at the second end thereof on the bracket, tongue and ratchet means between the plate and bracket, and locking means on the bracket to lock the bracket at selected locations on the plate by engagement of the tongue and ratchet means.
 8. A binding assembly as claimed in claim 7 in which the plate includes a base part secured to the ski, a pair of oppositely disposed leg members upstanding from the base part, and each leg being formed with ratchet teeth.
 9. A binding assembly as claimed in claim 8 in which the bracket has an upstanding tongue for mating engagement with said ratchet teeth.
 10. A binding assembly for releasably retaining toe or heel portions of a ski boot positioned on a ski, said assembly comprising, a housing having at least parallel top and bottom walls and front and rear end walls disposed generally normal to the top and bottom walls, a cavity on the undersurface of the housing opening to the bottom wall, a vertically disposed restraining member positioned at a first end thereof in the cavity and secured at a second end thereof to the ski to restrain movement of the assembly except upon exertion of an impact force of per-selected magnitude thereagainst, the restraining member including a pivot standard terminating at the second end and a spherical portion mounted on the standard at the first end, a horizontally disposed engagement bar retained in the cavity juxtaposed the spherical portion, mating tongue and notch means between said bar and spherical portion for releasably maintaining the assembly in a first rest position, the bar including an aperture at each end thereof, an adjustment screw passing through each aperture and threadedly engaged in the housing on opposite sides of the spherical portion, and spring loaded means associated with each screw to adjustably maintain the tension of the bar against the spherical portion, whereby exertion of the force against the assembly will release the spherical portion from the engagement bar to permit the assembly to move to a second release position to release the boot toe or heel.
 11. A binding assembly as claimed in claim 10 in which the spring loaded means include a piston associated with each screw, each piston moveable in a respective piston cavity in the housing proximate the front wall thereof, a coil spring in each piston cavity to force each piston toward the front wall and thereby draw the bar against the spherical portion.
 12. A binding assembly as claimed in claim 11 in which the top wall of the housing includes at least one window to permit visual display of the screws, each screw having an index marking around the circumference thereof visible in the window to indicate the degree of tension applied by the bar against the spherical portion.
 13. A binding assembly as claimed in claim 12 in which there are indicia on the top wall associated with the window to designate the relative position of the index markings in terms of calculated degrees of tension.
 14. A binding assembly for releasably retaining toe or heel portions of a ski boot positioned on a ski, said assembly comprising, a housing having at least parallel top and bottom walls and front and rear end walls disposed generally normal to the top and bottom walls, a cavity on the undersurface of the housing opening to the bottom wall, a vertically disposed restraining member positioned at a first end thereof in the cavity and secured at a second end thereof to the ski to restrain movement of the assembly except upon exertion of an impact force of pre-selected magnitude thereagainst, the restraining member including a pivot standard terminating at the second end and a spherical portion mounted on the standard at the first end, a horizontally disposed engagement bar retained in the cavity juxtaposed the spherical portion for releasably maintaining the assembly in a first rest position, whereby exertion of the force against the assembly will release the spherical portion from the engagement bar to permit the assembly to move to a second release position to release the boot toe or heel, and adjustment means for adjustably positioning the assembly laterally along the length of the ski, said adjustment means including a mounting plate secured on the ski, a mounting bracket moveably retained on the plate, said restraining member secured at the second end thereof on the bracket, tongue and ratchet means between the plate and bracket, and locking means on the bracket to lock the bracket at selected locations on the plate by engagement of the tongue and ratchet means, said locking means including a pair of scissors clip members engaging the plate, and a hairpin spring positioned between the scissors clip members to maintain the same in open condition in engagement with the plate.
 15. A binding assembly for releasably retaining toe or heel portions of a ski boot positioned on a ski, said assembly comprising, a housing, a restraining member positioned in the housing at a first end thereof and secured at a second end thereof to the ski to restrain movement of the assembly except upon exertion of an impact force of pre-selected magnitude thereagainst, adjustment means for adjustably positioning the assembly laterally along the length of the ski, said adjustment means including a mounting plate secured on the ski, a mounting bracket moveably retained on the plate, said restraining member secured at the second end thereof on the bracket, tongue and ratchet means between the plate and bracket, and locking means on the bracket to lock the bracket at selected locations on the plate by engagement of the tongue and ratchet means, said locking means including a pair of scissors clip members engaging the plate, and a hairpin spring positioned between the scissors clip members to maintain the same in open condition in engagement with the plate.
 16. A binding assembly for releasably retaining toe or heel portions of a ski boot positioned on a ski, said assembly comprising, a housing, a restraining member positioned in the housing at a first end thereof and secured at a second end thereof to the ski to restrain movement of the assembly except upon exertion of an impact force of pre-selected magnitude thereagainst, adjustment means for adjustably positioning the assembly laterally along the length of the ski, said adjustment means including a mounting plate secured on the ski, the plate having a base part secured to the ski, aa pair of oppositely disposed leg members upstanding from the base part, each leg being formed with ratchet teeth, a mounting bracket moveably retained on the plate, the bracket having an upstanding tongue for mating engagement with said ratchet teeth, said restraining member secured at the second end thereof on the bracket, and locking means on the bracket to lock the bracket at selected locations on the plate by engagement of the tongue and ratchet means. 